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Publisher's Summary

After a tortured childhood and years of soul-searching, Brooke Morrison has finally settled into a comfortable life. While his sexuality prohibits him from practicing his degree in youth ministry in a church setting, he has found a fulfilling job as a youth counselor at a residential treatment facility in Colorado. He falls in love, marries the man of his dreams, and makes peace with God. He's happy.

Then his buried past drags him back to the Ozarks.

The life Brooke has worked so hard to build is crumbling in his hands in the face of painful memories and past abuse, and his confidence is withering. In El Dorado Springs, where his nightmares come to life, Brooke desperately seeks closure life doesn't offer. Brooke must find value in himself, in his marriage, and in the world around him - and create the hope and perseverance to keep his past from swallowing him whole.

Prior to listening to this story, many of the reviews kept using the word powerful. After experiencing the journey of Brooklyn Morrison, powerful is the only word that describes this story. The author addresses many misguided perspectives and intertwines that with little bits of truth, hope, and love. As horrific as Rose is (not going to give anything away), she is an all too familiar character. That can be said about most of the characters that Brandon Witt created to tell Brooklyn's story. The religious components of the story explored and explained many aspects that run parallel with my own viewpoints. A powerful story by Witt as well as exceptionally delivered by Andrew McFerrin's narration. From my perspective, A Must Read/Listen.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Shattered Door to be better than the print version?

I've not read the text copy, but I imagine I would have heard it the same way it was read by the narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Shattered Door?

For me, it was the moment in which he'd gone to his mother's to air his grievances about her actions.

Have you listened to any of Andrew McFerrin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I'd heard him before. He did great.

If you could rename The Shattered Door, what would you call it?

A Purgatory Named Mother.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book. It leads away from cliche's and stereotypes, much like Witt's other book, Then The Stars Fall. His style is impressive and thorough. His characters speak believably, as opposed to other gay novelists that try too hard.

Brooke Morrison's story is truly captivating, emotional and very thought provoking . A story for a rough live and struggles. Accepting yourself as a gay and trying to discover if God still loves you. Even accepting the cruelty of a mother's “love”. A toxic mother who constantly tears you apart. A dismissive mother who make you feel unworthy and a mistake of nature. After all, you can't exactly dump your mom and then jump online to look for a new one.

I am so glad I read this remarkable book! Yes, it was a very heavy read with several moments stopping your breath but it is a powerful piece of LGBT fiction that need to be placed on the most visible spot on your bookshelf. Thank you mother nature for giving a couple rainy days and thank you Mr.Witt for this penetratingly fascinating book!

The Shattered Door hit me deep inside when I read originally read it and the audio version had a similar affect. It’s a deeply emotional tale that I believed included a lot of the author’s soul.

I think the plotting is bit off and was more interested in Brooke’s life in El Dorado then his life before he came home. Early parts of the book dragged for me, but I was enthralled once Brooke came home.

The book deals with tough subjects such as homosexuality in religion and parental abuse but Witt does an amazing job with the issues. He has a stellar skill that is displayed here and it is amazing. Brooke is a unique character and I loved reading about everything he had to deal with. I also loved Brooke’s family members, especially Donny. The supporting cast was amazing.

Narration Review:

Andrew McFerrin did an amazing job nailing Brooke’s inner voice. I felt I was on the journey right beside Brooke the entire time.